Purpose of Writing: Why We Write and Keep on Writing

Why do you do what you do? As a writer, why do you write? What is the purpose of spending sleepless hours putting words together to form sentences that form into paragraphs, and eventually lead to a story or idea? They say that writing is a penniless job. You’ll get more rejections and criticisms than appreciation and opportunity. Well, tell that to J.K. Rowling; the first self-made billionaire author in history. Is money your drive for writing though? What is the purpose of writing for you?

Purpose of Writing

Technically, writing aims to tell a story, describe, inform, entertain, or persuade you. Isn’t that what we were taught when we were in school?

Stories

We write to tell a story. Who’s story? Your story. The story of the baker who lives across the street. The story of your dog. We tell stories about nature, our nation and what’s happening in our world. There are fictions because we want to tell a story about worlds and people that are beyond the imagination. We tell stories of characters that embodies our ideals or those of our alter egos.

Each of us has a story to tell, whether it’s real, made up, or make-believe. Jesus used stories to get a point across. He told parables to teach lessons and made sure it is something the people of His time and that place could easily relate to.

We have bedtime stories for children to get them to sleep, help develop their young minds by planting the seed of imagination and logic, and also teach them with lessons that lie behind the stories.

Before televisions or radios were invented, people are resourceful with their choice of entertainment. Telling stories is one of them.

Humans love stories. So we write to tell them.

Inform

We write to inform, to enlighten, to let the world know about what is happening, or about a specific thing. It is easier nowadays to spread information through the internet and social media. Sadly, some people use this ease and convenience to share false information or fake news. As writers, we should be responsible about what we write to inform or what information we need to propagate.

Persuade

Writing also enables us to persuade. Ads are created by companies to convince consumers to choose their products over the competition. If ads are written well, companies sell well. That is one reason or purpose why we write: to inform others about us and what we offer and to persuade them that we are the best and it is a wise decision to choose us.

Why do you write?

Looking back, I did not care what the purpose for the writing assignment was. I only knew I loved every minute of it. From coming up with an idea about what to write about, to composing the sentences and writing the words on paper, erasing the unnecessary, and finalizing my draft—I felt like I was in cloud nine.

I write because writing for me is like breathing. I cannot live without it.

Writing helps me unburden myself from life’s toxicity, and from thousands of thoughts and ideas that swim in my head.

Initially, writing was a hobby. Eventually, I realized that there is a purpose for my writing; it is to make other people feel they are not alone in their journey.

I went to some ups and downs that made we search for people who might be at the same place. I looked for mentors, or at least people whom I can journey with from where I am. Sad to say, I found only fewer than five whom I can relate to and helped made my ride smoother so to speak.

That is why I write. I want to be the hand that holds the lost, assuring them that they are not alone and that there is someone out there who knows what it is like to be confused and broken too.

I write to be the voice by telling the story other people wants to share but cannot find the words to do so.

Yes, I may have come to the point where I write and get paid for it, but I have not lost sight of the purpose of writing.

How about you? Why do you write?

Day 9 – Write Tribe Problogger October 2017 Challenge

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Reader Interactions

Comments

I always loved writing. But, as I got busy with the drudgeries of life writing took a backseat. It came to me when I needed it the most. When I took a break from work after my daughter was born, I got back to writing and surprisingly it acted as a balm to soothe my nerves and give vent to my feelings

I write to relive memories, share them with friends and relatives and at times to unwind myself. In fact the pleasure I get after writing a good piece is akin to having my favourite ice cream. Feel cool and refreshed.

I write because it helps me unclog my mind. It gives clarity to my thoughts. It helps me to improve both as a person and a writer. Writing gives me peace and a sense of calmness which I have never found otherwise. It opens a door to a different world all to myself. 🙂 Thank you for the wonderful articles this month, Lux. Loved reading each and every one of them. Yay, we aced the challenge. 🙂

This post is what I needed to read today with so much self-doubt and the feeling of being worthless engulfing me as I type this from work. You know I write because it makes me feel good about myself and fills me with a purpose as it if was something I was meant to do. Without writing I would have been lost.

Writing is so therapeutic. It helps to express emotions that couldn’t find a voice. And to tell stories too. To find people who are in the same journey as us. I love the points. Truly defines what blogging is all about.

What wonderful thoughts. All of us need to share our stories. And I’m glad I can do it through writing. That I can express what I see and feel is a blessing and that I find people who enjoy and identify with it is an even greater one.

We all might have a different purpose to write but we all want to share our thoughts with others. I started my blog just to write and unwind but slowly realised that people can actually learn from our experiences.

George Orwell, in his book, ‘Why I Write,’ list three reasons to write: for sheer egotism, immortality and to try to make this world a better place. Perhaps all these are right to some extent, I believe. Thanks for the beautiful post you shared with us.

We are all story tellers and I also write stories. Not fiction but those that are mine or as I see things. Why I do that? I want to touch lives. I want to touch hearts and hence I write. What a lovely post, Lux!

Writing is cathartic to me. I also write only on topics which entertain, relax, are informative or insightful. I guess I write what I would like to read and I am comfortable writing. It feels good to know that my posts help people unwind or they find it useful.

A great topic to ponder. I like to write when I feel a rush of words in my mind. That is when the article comes out expressed well to my satisfaction. Being a novice in this field I have a long way to go.
sudha

Lux, you have said it all. I write to breathe, to unburden myself, to share many untold stories and yes to earn. When I am able to be financially free through profession I love doing, it is totally blissful

I have always been writing my thoughts since the time I remember I learnt to write in school. It was a hobby and therapeutic for me. Now my hobby has become my passion and I want to make my words my identity. Hope to get there soon.

I write because i want to express and share my opinion to public. I also write as it is more than a hobby to keep myself stressfree. I love the way you organize your posts Lux with side headings and clear words.

I wrote 2 posts today and hoping to write one more before I call it a day- writing gives me joy, its like the release of emotions, feelings, joy, angst and so much more. When I hear from someone that my writing inspired them or made them feel better, stronger, more confident- thats an achievement for me